lol...bex closed her nursery last year and has stuff left over...I'm going shopping...lol..and Home Depot just finally got a shipment of good stuff in, had to go shopping there in case they don't get anymore..we're not heavy on nurseries here.

I'm not so gung ho about the planting. I want it done but there is so much to do and there are a few things here that are awkward to work around and yet I don't want to take them out as they're the only things here of good size....and I'm looking at all of the digging and wonder who's going to do that? Also foolishly thought that there might not be gophers here...sigh...still will be making gopher baskets....what a drag.

A fun read going back to the top of this thread! and coming across this site again http://www.fuchsias.net/zcart/

Lots of good info on Pedricks Corner too http://www.pedrickscorner.com/ although she has currently suspended sales due to frost and deer damage.

And here is the Northwest Fuchsia Society page http://www.nwfuchsiasociety.co...

Too bad about Pedrick's....she had lots of good stuff before and extremely good prices...hope this is only a temporary setback.

Good links. 'Waterways' is pretty, lovely shading on the bloom. Seems like one of you posted a fuchsia nursery here in southern Washington.

You know I still need cuttings of your magellanica Zuzu! I should just come over with pots of soil for all the cuttings I want to try!

I'm going to my friend bex's place for cuttings of all of her hydrangeas...and anything else she will let me get at...lol..

Just finished reading this thread. I did not know that fuchsia grow "outside a hanging basket" so to speak. I think they're so pretty Wonder could I grow a tree or bush here in the Florida panhandle?? Ideas or suggestions?? TIA

Hi Ginger - I am growing some small ones as bushes (2-foot height) and they are loving the 9b weather as long as they are shaded. The ones that work best for me, both for climate and health, are listed above in this thread. I'd never seen the tree varieties and hope someone will chime in and talk about them! Where do you even get them, and do you have to start them from seedlings?

I wouldn't grow them from seedlings if I wanted them right away, Tina. Joy Creek carries a good selection, and Big Dipper used to carry a good selection, although I haven't bought anything from Big Dipper for a while. You can buy small starts of the upright "trees" from The Earthworks. Look for any variety that states a height of 5-6 feet.

Ginger, I'm not sure about the effect of Florida humidity on fuchsias. Are they sold at the local nurseries?

Sue, coming over with pots of soil is the ideal approach, and I have a brand-new, unopened jar of powdered rooting hormone to use on the cuttings. I've been meaning to root Monsieur Tillier for you, but I didn't have any potting soil until a few days ago. Come over any time. The cats and I are always happy to see you.

have dirt, will travel!

Zuzu....I don't really get out to local nurseries, so the only place I've seen fuchsias is at Lowes or Home Depot and only in hanging baskets. I've tried a few over the years, but always manage to croak them Sure would like to move them to the "We like Ginger" list

If the local Lowe's sells them, they must be able to survive the humidity. Actually, I don't even know why I wondered whether they'd do well in Florida. They originally came from the Caribbean, so they should be quite happy in Florida.

I think moisture is the key to raising happy fuchsias. I remember that they grew like weeds in San Francisco, even in empty lots, because the fog kept them from drying out. When I was living in Piedmont, my neighbor had some hanging fuchsia baskets that looked stressed. She called the nursery and told the guy she suspected they had been overwatered. He burst out laughing and said an overwatered fuchsia would be the eighth wonder of the world.

hmmmm...maybe I haven't watered mine enough. I swear I can kill a cactus from lack of water

8th wonder of the world is right - mine seem to wave their limbs whenever I walk by ... "w-a-a-a-t-e-r" they say in sign language. I spritz them and reply ... "b-l-o-o-o-m-s" ... and give them an expectant look!

Hello Ginger

If you want to see fuchsias in hanging baskets, go to my fuchsias in the forum and click on the photos of our show here in Clacton on Sea. England. To see them for real is fantastic.

Regards

John

katie's Gem

Thanks, John...I'll check it out and

Hi ZUZU

Just reading through and came across your thread. You can tell that gent that I have seen the eighth wonder of the world, as you can certainly over water fuchsias. They are fibrous rooted and if given too much water, they will drown. Their ideal is a moist soil with some shade during the day. If they dry out, dunk the whole plant in a bucket of water till the bubbles stop, then let it drain. Over here where I am, September is the best time for them as we get mist off the sea and it's not to hot, and they look great. Just remember where the majority of them come from. Just below the frost line of the Andes mountains, in shady forest areas. If you can give them that environment, they will love you.

HTH

John
"Connors Cascade"